~~ trafficking in fictional ideas ~~

Category Archives: Writing

While you’re waiting for the film, currently in development, here’s a sampling of comments from readers of the book that spawned it. If you care to check it out yourself, visit your local bookseller or your favorite online source, or visit the book’s page on Goodreads and choose from among the options there (under Get A Copy).

Total Entertainment! ★★★★★

by a reader

from Florida

on July 20, 2012

Senseless is a laugh-out-loud comedy, with a generous sprinkling of mystery and suspense. But it’s also a sort of adult coming-of-age story, filled with insightful tidbits as Nick finds his way in life. This combination works perfectly to create a truly unique plot and a captivating read.

I am a sucker for compelling characters and Senseless is filled with them. No one here is perfect or predictable. I was hooked from the opening sentence.

Thumbs Up! ★★★★★

by a reader

on September 22, 2012

Great read. Interesting characters, plot and adventure in the northwest. Who thought being a census taker could be such an adventurous job. Everyone in my book group enjoyed this book, which is not often the case.

Senseless Confidential ★★★★☆

by a reader

on September 20, 2012

I have to admit that I didn’t like Nick at first. And I didn’t have much sympathy for his situation. But I enjoyed the absurdity and kept reading. I am glad I did. The characters grew on me and I found myself very engaged with their individual idiosyncrasies. Then I couldn’t put the book down and thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected paths that these characters were taking.
I highly recommend this book and am convinced that there are characters just like these in real life!!!

A Bona Fide U.S. Census Field Representative’s Seal of Approval! Bravo! ★★★★★

by a reader

from Oregon City, OR USA

on September 10, 2012

I was unable to put down this off-the-wall and thoroughly entertaining comic gem — partly because This Is Also My Life because I, too, work as a Field Representative for the U.S. Census Bureau. Martin Bannon’s Nick Prince has traveled the same routes as I have– literally, and I’m always meeting uber-interesting people whose names and PII (Personal Identifying Information) I will be carrying to my grave. I, too, live and die by Title 13. I highly recommend this Carl Hiaasen-ish romp through the wilds of rural Clackamas County, Oregon. Please don’t shoot us.

Senseless Confidential: A great Summer read! ★★★★★

by a reader

from Skagit County, WA

on August 19, 2012

Just finished Senseless Confidential — the book on the top of my pile for vacation reading. Couldn’t put it down — what great fun! Bannon knows how to spin a most engaging story, with characters that come quickly to life, but keep you guessing as to their histories and motives. A book clearly rooted in the author’s own experiences of so many different things — working for the government, Mormonism, the Cascades wilderness. Loved the way so many different themes were woven together with the skill of a great storyteller.

A thoroughly entertaining story ★★★★★

by a reader

from Long Beach, California, USA

on August 02, 2012

Bannon’s work here often reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Armistead Maupin. A diverse group of relatable characters and some well-placed plot twists kept me turning pages eagerly. Mr. Bannon knows what he’s doing. He has written something that takes the banality of the US Census and turns it into a beautifully harmonious collection of seemingly unrelated elements. I really cared about these characters!

The video trailer for Portland author Martin Bannon’s comedic novel, Senseless Confidential, was shot by director Andrew Michael Bray on location in the Oregon Cascades. (A higher resolution trailer for the upcoming feature film adaptation will be released in early 2015.)

The audiobook is available at St. Johns Booksellers in Portland, Oregon, in both CD ($24.99) and downloadable mp3 ($14.99) formats. Print editions are also available at St. Johns ($14.99 list).

All three editions are also available from Dinkus Books for the same prices. (For the CD boxed set and print editions, a shipping fee of $2.50 will be added to US orders.)

You will find the mp3 audiobook at Amazon for $17.49 (plus applicable taxes); you may also download the mp3 edition from Amazon’s subsidiary Audible (list US$19.95, though the actual cost may be lower depending on the type of Audible membership you have.)

The ebook edition is available at Smashwords for $3.99 in ALL digital formats.

Both print (US$13.49) and Kindle (US$3.99) editions are available from Amazon.

Heads up, Portland Metro local friends: My interview on the Author’s Forum is being aired in the Portland Metro area through December 6 at the times indicated below. Check it out if you get a chance! (Note that Tuesdays and Saturday are the only Primetime airings.)